“I consider the [Downtown Council/DID] as a ‘blue ribbon’ organization, and I’m excited about the position on many levels," Cramer said. "My prior work with the private sector, government, and community interests has helped me understand constituent relations, operations, and communications. It will be a privilege to use that experience to shepherd The 2025 Plan into reality."

Cramer has been president at Project for Pride in Living for 10 years. The Minneapolis nonprofit is a multi-service agency that serves more than 14,000 low-income people each year.

In addition to serving as chair of the Ballpark Authority, Cramer has been the executive director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency (now known as CPED) and director of the Hennepin County Department of Housing, Community Works and Transit. He also serves on several boards.

“Steve brings an incredible background to our organization, and understands first-hand how critically important Downtown Minneapolis is as the engine of prosperity for the city and the region,” said Collin Barr, president of Ryan Companies North Central Region and board chair of the Downtown Council/DID.

Betsy Buckley, founder of What Matters, a consulting firm that has worked with the Downtown Council, has served as interim president and CEO of the Downtown Council since Mark Stenglein stepped down from the post in June after about a year on the job.

The Downtown Council has been working on advancing a vision for the city called Downtown 2025. Goals include doubling downtown's population to 70,000, transforming Nicollet Mall into a more vibrant destination, building a new Gateway Park on the north end of Nicollet Mall and ending street homelessness, among other initiatives.